N&C Midwest October 2023

We are under a freeze warning tonight, which will kill whatever the last two frosts hasn't already killed. Fortunately, all of my beds have been closed for the winter. Well, except for the one section of one bed that has the winter carrots and beets in it, and they won't be harvested until December.

JAM23 wrote:

The only raised bed still active is the one with winter carrots and beets in it. Those won't be harvested until December.

Nice OhioGardener! You are one nice neighbor! I have closed one of my beds for the season. Still have a few more to get too! Want to be finished my mid-November. I use mulched leaves to cover my soil since they are free but I have run out of them (because I am trying to make lots of compost)! Waiting for the leaves to start falling in my area so I can get them mulched to cover the beds and stock pile them for another year of composting.

I am curious, OG, when do you start your winter carrots and beets?  I have one thoughts about dividing my rhubarb—it seems crowded in that fire ring.  Maybe next year—I am running out of time!  

JAM23, I too am waiting for leaves to fall here.  I do like that for a compost element and a direct mulch, especially on my perennial beds.  I just let it lay!

Scorpio Rising wrote:I am curious, OG, when do you start your winter carrots and beets?

I usually get them planted by the last week of August in order for them get enough growth before the first frost.

 I have one thoughts about dividing my rhubarb—it seems crowded in that fire ring.  Maybe next year—I am running out of time! 

The good news is that the Rhubarb can be divided in the spring, too, as soon as the ground is no longer frozen and the leaves haven't emerged. I prefer to do the dividing in the fall so that I can mulch them with aged cow manure to feed them next year, but I have done the dividing in the spring before with great success.

I usually divide my rhubarb in Spring.  Actually, I have never divided my rhubarb….but hey?  This coming year has to be a first!

Scorpio Rising wrote:I usually divide my rhubarb in Spring.  Actually, I have never divided my rhubarb…. but hey?  This coming year has to be a first!

"Everything happens for the first time...."   Mudhan Shabir

Not sure what I was thinking!  I moved it twice due to poor soil and plant production.  It is really nice here, but we know what’s coming!

It’s snowing!  Am I happy?  Not sure….but kinda.  I’m done.

Scorpio Rising wrote:It’s snowing!  Am I happy?  Not sure….but kinda.  I’m done.

Yes, we decided to close out October by having the first snowfall for the winter.  Not looking forward to the long winter months, but the beds are all closed for the winter.

We also had our first snow fall yesterday and I am grateful that I was able to close the beds the day before it snowed! Now, I get to see how my first plantings fare in the cold frames that my husband built for me (beets, carrots, parsley, thyme and spinach).

Our quest now is to gather, mulched and store as many leaves as possible. We collected enough last year to use in our 2 bin compost system throughout the year but a few weeks ago we scraped up the last few and added them to the compost, so we need to replenish.

Speaking of compost, thanks to this group, we have made the most beautiful compost over the last two years and we were so happy to add it to our beds this fall. I never in a million years would have thought that I would be excited about creating soil, but here I am loving it!!! Even my husband sees the value in it and we spend some time each week picking up bagged leaves in the neighborhood to store away to use. 

It's the first day of November, a month in which to be thankful, and I wanted you all to know that I am very thankful for all of you in my gardening community for your knowledge and support.

Happy November!!!

JAM23 wrote: I never in a million years would have thought that I would be excited about creating soil, but here I am loving it!!! Even my husband sees the value in it and we spend some time each week picking up bagged leaves in the neighborhood to store away to use. 

It's the first day of November, a month in which to be thankful, and I wanted you all to know that I am very thankful for all of you in my gardening community for your knowledge and support.

It has been great watching you grow with your garden. Glad to have you here!  Now we have the winter to plan for, and dream of next year's gardens.